Press release: Back to school – be safe on the roads

In East Sussex, the County Council employs 120 school crossing patrols at 73 sites, helping children cross the road safely while walking to and from school. But motorists can help by being extra vigilant and looking out for children crossing the road on their own.

Road awareness training can also help children to be safe on the roads. Parents interested in extra training for their children should look out for information at their school about the Footsteps and Cycle Awareness courses, starting soon.

Footsteps is a pedestrian training scheme for young children which aims to develop their awareness of roads. Children – usually from the reception class and Years 1 and 2 – are taken outside their school with a trained tutor and parent volunteers to observe local traffic and talk about road safety.

Footsteps helps children learn how to live safely with traffic and avoid accidents. They learn how to behave on and near the road, and to be aware of the dangers of traffic. Under the careful guidance of a tutor, children learn how to identify a safe place to cross and how to cross safely.

A cycling awareness course gives children the skills they need for riding their bikes on the road. The aim is to encourage children to think independently and make their own informed decisions. Cycle awareness courses are available to children nine years old and above.

Most of the cycle training is on the road, with practice sessions in the playground. Most courses are run in conjunction with local schools, by council-approved cycle trainers usually for a small fee.

Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said, "Road awareness and cycling courses can help children to travel to school safely and in an environmentally friendly way. To be able to walk and cycle safely gives children some independence. It is also great exercise and can help to keep both children and parents stay fit and active."

For more information on walking and cycling training please visit our section on road awareness.

Find out more information on school crossing patrols

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